The Vogalonga rowing race goes around the islands of Venice, Murano, Burano, and many others. This year is the 33nd anniversary of the very first Vogalonga, which was born both as a beautiful way to spend a Sunday and as a protest against the “moto ondoso”, or waves created by motorboats that are wearing away at the homes and walls of Venice. Roughly 30 kilometers long, it is non-competitive (or so they say!) and involves 1500 boats, 4000 rowers, paddlers, standing Venetian-style oarsmen and women, in everything from kayaks to 40-strong patriarch’s vessels.

The only way to truly enjoy this race is in fact from the boats themselves, as there is no one body of land from which you can witness more than about 500 meters of the race. (Of course, there is much to be said about taking cocktails at one of the glamorous hotels that have waterfront near the finish line…) below is the general program for the week leading up to the race and race day.

Our trip will begin about 6 days before the race.  We'll practice every day on the Lagoon and compose the boats, getting used to the different water and different type of boats used.  As usual, we'll leave plenty of time of great food, and the sights of Venice!

This is truly an experience not to be missed… for any rower this is Henley, the Charles, and the New York Marathon all mixed into a pastry treat with the beauty and romance of Italy drizzled onto the top.